The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-04-28
HtsToRip HoLyRtlop.
Sketch OF visit to the Old scotch Pal
ace.--Queen Mary's Room.

nv hotel, overlooking Princes street,
There were few pedestri-
ans in sight, and this, taken with the
state of the weather, brought me near
er to sleep than to any thought OF the
business that had brought me to the
city. After awhile / resolved to shake
off my lethargy, and devote the after.
noon to .sseeing the lions in spite OF
wind or weather Full of my new res
olution l descended to the entrance,
hailed a cab, and signified to Jehu that
l wanted to go to Holyrood.
A short drive through quaint old
fashioned thoroughfares and was set
down in front of the palace and was
left to my own resources; indeed, was
left very much to myself, for, with the
exception of two sleepy-looking sentries
pacing back and forth, could see no |
living thing. 1t was not gala day in |
the heart of Midlothian, atmospherical- |
ly OF otherwise, and l was rather
pleased, for in that case l was not like
" to be troubled with a crowd of COM
panion sight-seers. took a look
around me. There on my right hand
stood Arthur's seat and the crags, like
two grim monsters with their heads in
the clouds. Altogether the scene was
not inviting; so l made my way to the
arched entrance of the abbey through
which many a royal cortege had passed
in the days of old. After Il few prelim-
inaries and a scarcely perceptible dis
play of red tape l was admitted, and
made my way as soon as possible to
Queen Mary's rooms. Understand,
Queen Mary was my particular divini-
ty, or rather had been when | was a
boy, and perhaps no man lives who does
not carry with him portion of his boy
heart, even into the center of his man.
hood. AS it happened, or as the wealth
er willed it, there were but two visitors
besides myself; so | thought l was in
luck.
In spite of the watchful eyes of my
guide, into whose hand l slipped a
good sized ..image and superscription,
/ contrived frequently to linger a mo-
ment or two behind the party and thus
enjoy the luxury of Il dream or two
alone / saw the little supper-room
where, on that February night long ago,
poor Rizzio had been murdered by
Darnley, Ruthven, and others. Istood
long and gazed upon the stains OF
blood which, of course, are not there,
and then / turned to look ut the queens 5
work table and the little odds and ends
upon it. This was my delight and l
could not keep my eyes from it. | had
turned to leave the apartment and fol
low my guide and the two other visit
ors, when most singular circumstance
occurred, for which, of course, you will
have to take my word.
From feeling not to be described by
| the pen | somehow became aware that
was not alone in the room although
knew perfectly that all doors were lock
ed behind us, and that my party was
some distance in advance. l felt that
no presence could ever be more real;
indeed, fairly looked back to see, and
was not disappointed. There, only a
few feet from where stood, was a lady.
She leaned slightly over the little table,
upon which one of her hands rested.
Her outline was handsome in the ex-
treme, and / remember thinking that
my eyes had never gazed upon form
of more perfect loveliness. Her robe
seemed to he of crimson velvet, while
the upper part of her dress, albeit o.
quaint cut and pattern, was ablaze witt
Jewels 1t was the work of an instant
for me to recall pictures [ had seen ant
descriptions | had read, which, wher
taken together, brought the conviction
that stood in the presence of Mary
Queen of Scots, or rather the air draw
semblance of that royal lady. l wa
not startled. To me, at the time, ther,
did not seem to be anything strange
about the matter. | simply stood anC
looked into her magnificent eyes, which
were modestly lifted to mine In few
seconds my mind ran over all the try
ing scenes of her life; indeed l seemed
to be taken out of myself, and waited
away back into the stirring times whel
the Lords of the Covenant stood ever,
man with his sword drawn, and the hap
less Mary was the sport of circumstan
ces, BY and by came to what had al
ways seemed to be a curious part of he
history, her escapade with Rothwell
and once again l mentally formulated
the question, is it possible that 81
much beauty could ever find anythin!
to love in that scapegrace lord?' ask
} myself the question, but judge of m,
amazement, when the figure answered
it. The lips moved; NO. it said, s.h
never owned my love; but think, m,
subjects were in open rebellion; my hus
band had been Il brute when he ough
to have been my protector; was a wo
man i'll strange country, without
trusty friend in the whole wide world
what could do?" The infinite patho
!, with which she uttered those word
brought pang to my heart, and.
must confess tear to my eye. lnvol
unfairly / advanced toward her, cage
, to express my sympathy, that sympath
which. clings around the heart of ever
. Scotsman for one who may have erre
much but whom the world treated nc
WELL As l moved the figure vanishe
and l was alone.
Opportunely, to save me from mal
: ing Il fool of myself, my party returne
ON their way out, and | joined then
full of wonderful dreams and theorie:
but silent as to my adventure. In d,
scending the stairway was first, wit
: the janitor two steps behind. You wi
I, I, believe | was surprised when that stat
old gentleman gave me slap betwee
the shoulders, hard enough to make m
watch-chain rattle, and shouted: He
10 Sims; gone to sleep, eh?'' My SUI
3 prise was increased, rather than dimiI
l ished, when looked up and foundsths
e it was not the old man at all, but m
;, young law partner, Russell, who ha
4 come to the city on the same bushes
1 as myself, and having been shown u
1 to my room found me doing old E'
: inburgh in very entertaining dream
Il --Williaan Lyle in Scottish american.